Apparatus for controlled treatment of fluids



Nov. 26, 19. R. c. I AsslAT APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLED TREATMENT OF FLUIDS Filed March 8. 1957 Ill.

INVENTOR HagMcmdELnssifn ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 26, 1940 A UNITED STATES Q ,oFF-ICE A Application March 8, 1937, YSerialvv-Llo,1297,5417 Y y 3 Claims. (01.235283) vi 1 The present invention relates to the art of treating uids and to apparatus therefor. It has particular application to apparatus and types of operations where a solid contact material or 5 catalyst is employed in the separation, treatment, conversion or refining of fluids.

A structure, such as a hollow tubular member or Well extending within the reaction or contacting chamber of a converter or other uid treating apparatus andr adapted to serve"r as a duct, or as a protector or guard for an elongate insert or other element in nested relation therewithin, constitutes an important feature of my invention. While such a structure may have various uses, one use for which it is particularly contemplated is as a shield Vor well for an elongate insert, which may be vthe impulse generating portions of temperature or pressure indic'ating 'apparatus such as a thermocouple, for eX- ample. Another specic use for` which such structure may be employed is as ashield'or well within which a heating or cooling element extends including a tube or nest of tubes forcon'- taining heat exchange fluid in circulating and/or stagnant state. Y ,Y

It is an object of kthis invention to provide a iiuid treating apparatus having a well or the like which will be free or substantially free of any tendency to buckle or become distorted with temperature changes in the apparatus. Another object is to provide such a structure or well which willv permit the ready insertion, to any desired depth, or removal, of anyl desired elongate 4element, such as a thermocouple, heat exchange element, or other member. Another object is t0 provide structure which is simple, can be easily assembled' and will remain in good serviceable condition for long periods of time. Afurther object is to provide a wellv or tubular guard em- 40 bedded in a contact material or mass and so mounted that during thermal expansion it will rise through the mass and overcome the resistance thereofwhile under compressional stress; but during thermal contraction will move downwardly through the mass and overcome the much greater resistance of the mass to movement through it in this direction while under tensional stress. In accomplishing the latter object it is also a purpose of this invention to provide for the introduction or withdrawal of a thermocouple or any other desired insert through: the top of such well or tubular guard; and also to provide for mounting such an 'insert near the top of said well or ator near the top surface of the contact mass or of the converter .or reaction apparatus in which itis contained 4so that; the welland insert are freeto move independently of eachother and in opposite directions. -lThe structureoriwell, as above described, may ,be fastened or mounted at yone of'its ends Aand t5 thefinsertr or element `which-gis to-extend therewithin may be supported or mounted at a point adjacentyor Ainproximity to thev opposite .end of ,suchA 'elementi or insert. For example, where such wellis stationed in an uprightnor approxi- 10 mately upright position, as is oftenl preferable,

it may be ljoined 'near-f or adjacent `its vlower end to any suitable means' or support. vWhere. the structureor'well*extends to the lower end of the reaction'chamber, it may bemounted on or 315 near the wall'or partition member which bounds the lower end of :the reaction chamber, oritmay be joined Lto a conduit :orother element which may or may v-notfbe mounted on the last mentioned wall or partitiomor it may -be joinedjto Y20 othersuitable element or structure.`V Where the well, tubularmember; or the like, extends dovv'n-Y wardly-orinto; the reaction or contacting chamber from its'top end- (or onefend) 'only toa point yremote-from'fits lower (or other) yend, or to ya -25 point intermediate-rits two ends, 'such well or member may-be joined 'or mounted atf or near its lower- ('or other) --end to'fany suitableV portion' of the apparatusy possessing sufcient rigidity' and Strength... v le. A. i,

The 'well structure or-'tubular member may; for example, consist of a continuous VVtube or of a plurality of; separate sections. Any-insert, such as a thermocouple, which eX- tends'within such yvvell structure may befsup- =35 ported at or near the end of thewell 'structure remote from the end at or near which the latter is mounted `or rjoinedv to a suitable support. Where the well structure is fastened near its lower end to la suitable support," any elongate 40 element or member (e. g. a thermdcouple) which extends vtherewithin maybe supported .on the upper end of the well,l forfexample, or through suitable structure it may be mounted on the upper head `of the converter or on other structure 545 which, in turn, may or may not b'e joined to' the upper'head of 4thereactio'n'chamber orconverter orto the wall or partition member bounding the upper end` of the reaction chamber. With this type. of structure and assembly it will 50 be seen that the well'structure (e. g. the tubular member) and the nested elongate element, thermocouple or other insert will be 'free to move withr respect to eachother and in opposite directionsfduringlexpansion and contraction thereof.

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A quick general understanding of the invention can be facilitated by reference to the illustrative embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an elevational view of a fluid treating apparatus or converter partly in section;

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a modiiied form of the type of structure illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of a portion of the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views illustrating methods of supporting the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, in the several figures of which, like reference characters denote similar parts, I is a casing having a reaction chamber 2 located between upper partition member or wall 3 and lower partition member or wall 4. The casing I may be covered with insulation 5 and the reaction chamber2 may contain contact or catalytic material E, ofany desired form or type. One or more series of conduits such as conduits 1 and 8, shown, may be imbedded in contact mass 6 for the purpose of distributing reactants through and/or removing reaction products from mass 6 as disclosed and claimed, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 2,042,468, issued to E. J. Houdry on June 2, 1936, and/or for the purpose of conducting a temperature control fluid in heat exchange relation with mass 6, as indicated in the copending application of E. J. Houdry and R. C. Lassiat, Serial No. 728.544 filed June 1, 1934 which issued on May 4, 1937 as Patent No. 2,178,947.

Considering conduits 'I as induction conduits, reactant fluids, which for the sake of a specic 40 illustration may be considered as high boiling hydrocarbons in vaporous or atomized form, may be introduced into manifolding chamber 9 and pass from the latter into conduits 1, from whence they are distributed through contact material 6, which may for example, consist of an adsorptive blend of silica and alumina or any other suitable contact or catalytic material in the form of bits, fragments or molded pieces. Products of reaction may be withdrawn from the reaction chamber 2 through conduits 8 and then pass that accurate indication and/or recording of temperatures of localized portions of the contact mass be effected. To this end, a plurality of wells or tubular members II are provided, each containing one or more separate thermocouples I2 which are inserted to any suitable or desired depth. That is, a thermocouple may be inserted so that its lower end or hot junction is near the lower partition member 4 (when the lower end of the well is adjacent member 4), or is near the upper partition member 3, or is at any desired intermediate point.

The thermocouples I2 may be supported at a suitable point at the upper end of the converter I. For example, the weight of the thermocouple may be supported on the upper end of the Well II or on the upper head I3 of the converter, or on the upper partition member 3 thereof.

During heating or cooling of the reaction chamber the thermocouple element I2 and the tubular member or well II contract or expand freely and in opposite directions. The well or tubular member encounters less resistance from the mass or contact material when moving upwardly through it than when moving downwardly there through. However, when contracting downwardly through the mass, the stress set up in the well is one of tension and does not tend to make the well buckle or become distorted.

As shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 2, well II may consist of a continuous tubular member having a single xed point at or adjacent its lower end being otherwise free to move with respect to other portions of the converter structure. It may extend in freely slidable relation through the lower partition member 4 of the converter and a nipple I4, joined to the lower surface of the partition member 4, may be provided with a removable cap I5 having an open-` ing therethrough of suiiicient size to permit the threaded end of well or tubular member II to extend therethrough. Nuts I6 and I'I, above and below the end of the removable cap I5, serve to firmly hold the well in anchored position adja.

cent the lower partition member 4 and to provide for easy removal of the well for inspection,` replacement, or repair. Well II is provided also with a removable cap 25 which permits inspection of the interior of the well without removing the latter from the converter.

Well II is shown extending in freely slidable relation through upper partition member 3 and the upper head I3 of the converter, and having a junction box I8 mounted on the upper end thereof. A stuffing box I9 containing packing material of any desired type and attached to the upper end I3 of the converter through tubular support 20, slidably receives well II and prevents leakage of fluid from the upper end of the converter. Sleeve 2I mounted in partition 3 and located Within tubular support 20, stiffens the portions of well II located within chamber I0.

Supports 23, as can be clearly seen from the plan view of Fig. 5, loosely surround the well II so that the well is free to expand upwardly or downwardly independently of support 23. Support 23 may be joined, as by welding, to the iin 22 of conduit 8 at suitably spaced intervals between the upper partition member 3 and lower partition member 4. In place of being joined to the iins of one of conduits 8 or 1, these supports may be attached to any other suitable portion of the structure, as for example, to the side walls of the reaction chamber.

In place of being supported as shown in Fig. 5, the well or tubular member may, for example, be located relative to the fins of conduits 8 so as to permit the support or guide 23a to be directly attached to each fm, as shown in Fig. 6.

In place of being continuous, as shown in Fig. 2, the tubular member or well may be of the form illustrated in Fig. 3 and designated as Ila. Well IIa consists of a plurality of aligned but separated sections, each having a single xed point at one of the supporting or guide members 23a and being otherwise free for limited movement with respect to other portions of the converter. Each section is shown rigidly attached at or adjacent its lower end to a guide member 23a, which in turn is attached to a suitable portion of the converter such as fins 22, to have a free upper end which may be located within and loosely or slidably received by the next adjacent guide member 23a. The uppermost section I Ia within the reaction chamber may be slidably received by the Wall bounding the reaction chamber to terminate, for example, within suitable guide means as at point P in stiffening member 2Ia. Thus, the relative movement of well lla is fractionated and relatively great movement of upper portions of the well are avoided. Guide members 23a are preferably rather close fitting so as to avoid entrance of contact material 6 into the upper ends of sections Ila. With this type of Well structure there is no necessity for a joint of the type provided by a stung box as indicated in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 the uppermost section of the well designated as llt, is shown rigidly -attached to end I3 of the converter by sleeve 20a and removable cap 24 and extend into stiffening member 2Ia to have a free end therewithin. Thus junction box I8 is also rigidly attached to the converter shell. The lowermost section of well IIa is shown freely extending through a perforation in partition 4 to have a free end within nipple Ida provided with removable cap I5a.

While the Well or tubular member of Fig. 3 is shown as consisting of a plurality of sections between partitions 3 and 4, all other features of the structure as here shown are also contemplated when the portion of the well below point P, or below some equivalent point, consists of a single continuous tubular member.

From Fig. 4 it will be evident that the tubular member or well II or IIa need not necessarily extend through the lower partition member 4 but may, if desired, be mounted thereon. It may also be mounted on structure adjacent to the par- 40 unen member without extending therethrough er it may terminate at a point intermediate partitions 3 and 4 and be supported by a number of either conduit series or from a side wall of the converter.

While this invention has been described to a large extent in connection with its use when the member or elongate element which is to be inserted within the well or tubular member I I or 50 IIa, or the like, consists of a thermocouple, yet it will be obvious from the Whole specification that the invention is also applicable when the Well or tubular member is employed in connection with heat exchange, or for other purposes. Also, while 55 the invention is illustrated in connection with an upright converter, with the well or tubular member in an upright position, it is by no means restricted to such specic construction or particular arrangement.

Although the drawing illustrates distribution of fluid throughout the contact or catalytic material or mass by the use of perforated induction and eduction conduits, it will be understood that the invention is also applicable in fluid treating 65 or contacting apparatus Where perforated conduits are not employed and the flow of reactants is straight through or from end to end of the reaction chamber.

I claim as my invention:

1. A converter having side and end walls and transversely extending upper and lower partitions adjacent the end walls forming top and bottom manifolds and a central reaction chamber, a body of contact material in said reaction 75 chamber, cooperating apertures in the upper end wall and upper partition, a guard assembly for elongated members comprising a plurality of aligned and spaced tubular sections, one of said sections extending through at least one of said cooperating apertures in freely moving relation therewith and being held in fixed position for expansion downwardly, other sections of said guard assembly extending through said body of contact material and being secured at their lower ends in the reaction chamber by cylindrical guide members permitting expansion upwardly through the contact material, said cylindrical guide members overlapping the upper ends of adjacent sections and being adapted to exclude contact material from the sections, sleeve means secured to said upper partition and end wall and having a free end extending outwardly of said end wall, said free end being sealed about said upper sectionv of said guard assembly to prevent the escape of iiuid from the reaction chamber,

2. A converter having side and end walls and transversely extending upper and lower partitions adjacent the end walls forming top and botto-m manifolds and a central reaction charnber for containing a body of contact material, cooperating apertures. in one end wall and its adjacent partition, a thermocouple well assembly having its upper end portion extending through said apertures in freely moving relation therewith, said well assembly including a plurality of aligned and spaced tubular sections, each of said sections being rigidly held adjacent its lower end by cylindrical guides within the reaction chamber to permit upward expansion of the sections through the contact material, said cylindrical guides overlapping the free ends of adjacent sections and being adapted to exclude the Contact material from the well section-s, a sleeve surrounding the upper end of the thermocouple well and spaced therefrom having one end secured in the transverse partition aperture and a free end disposed outwardly of the end wall, a second sleeve surrounding said iirst mentioned sleeve secured in the end wall aperture and having an open end disposed between said partition and end wall and its other end sealed around the upper section of the thermocouple well and enclosing the open end of said first mentioned sleeve, said sleeve construction providing an arrangement for preventing the leakage of iluid from the converter.

3. A converter having side and end walls and transversely extending upper and lower partif tions adjacent the end walls forming therewith top and bottom manifolds and a central reaction chamber for containing a body of contactv material, cooperating apertures in one end wall and its adjacent partition, a series of perforated conduits mounted in each of said partitions and extending toward the other partition, thermocouple well assemblies having their upper ends extending through said cooperating apertures in freely moving relation therewith, said well assemblies including a plurality of aligned and spaced tubular sections, each of said sections being rigidly held adjacent its lower end by cylindrical guides to permit upward expansion of the sections through the contact material, said cylindrical guides overlapping the free ends of adjacent sections, said cylindrical guides being secured to Iadjacent perforated `conduits and adapted to exclude contact material from the well sections, sleeves surrounding the upper ends of the thermocouple wells and spaced therefrom having one end secured in the transverse partiof the thermocouple well assemblies and enclosing the open ends of said rst mentioned sleeves.A

said sleeve constructions providing an arrangement for preventing the leakage of fluid from the converter.

RAYMOND C. LASSIAT. 

